Kennedy Space Center firefighters picket near spaceport to protest contract

Dozens of Kennedy Space Center firefighters and supporters picketed outside the spaceport Friday afternoon to express frustration with a contract they have refused to sign.

“It’s a reminder to NASA that we didn’t go away, and we’re not the signing deal, and the firemen are still here and you’re still putting the screws to them,” said Kevin Smith, president of Transport Workers Union Local 525, which bargains on behalf of about 80 KSC firefighters. “We’re calling this a peaceful demonstration.”

Starting at 2:30 p.m. Friday, up to 200 people gathered for two hours on State Road 405 near U.S. 1, including off-duty KSC firefighters and families, members of local unions and roughly 75 who flew in from out of town to participate.

Picketers waved signs and an inflatable rat was displayed to represent “corporate greed,” union members said. Some KSC employees leaving work and tourists leaving the KSC Visitor Complex honked their horns in support.

The firefighters in March had threatened pickets and voted to authorize a strike, but backed down out of fear that contractor Chenega Infinity would replace them.

Chenega Infinity in 2016 won the five-year Kennedy Protective Services Contract II from NASA, worth up to $146.3 million.

The company in March imposed the terms of what it said was its best and final offer after nearly 20 negotiating sessions. Chenega Infinity said its offer was comparable to a deal two other unions accepted on a separate protective services contract at KSC.

But the firefighters haven't budged on their contract.

If they don’t sign it by Aug. 31, Smith said NASA is threatening to initiate a “wage determination” that would cut wages by $7 an hour, based on minimum salaries determined by the Department of Labor.

“The same deal is on the table, and if we don’t sign it, they’re going to inflict more damage,” said Smith.

KSC said it would remain "neutral and impartial" in the dispute. 

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"We have encouraged and will continue to encourage both parties to continue to work with federal mediators to resolve their differences," said Greg Harland, a KSC spokesman. "We value the essential services that the KPSC contractor and its employees provide and look forward to a timely and equitable resolution of this matter."

Chenega Infinity’s offer raised pay by 2 percent, but changed paid sick leave and retirement benefits in ways the firefighters said they can’t accept.

Chenega would trim its contributions to retirement plans from as high as 30 percent, depending on an employee's years of service, to 5 percent, according to Smith.

Paid sick leave, previously 120 hours or the equivalent of six 20-hour shifts, would be replaced by 60 hours of "personal leave." Any additional sick days would be taken from vacation time or go unpaid.

Firefighters argue those benefits are critical because of the risks they face on the job, the full-day shifts they work that keep them away from families for extended periods, and the early age at which they retire, on average.

KSC’s fire and rescue service supports about 8,000 civil servants and contractors at the spaceport, the KSC Visitor Complex and areas as far away as Playalinda Beach at the Canaveral National Seashore.

The firefighters still don't plan to strike for fear they would be replaced, but say they won’t sign the deal, and are upset that NASA might impose even worse terms after August.

“We’re standing fast,” said Smith.

Contact Dean at 321-242-3668 or jdean@floridatoday.com. And follow on Twitter at @flatoday_jdean and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpaceTeamGo.

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